Napster: Ethical and LegalNapster: Ethical and LegalIssuesIssues

Presented by: Tulika PrasadPresented by: Tulika Prasad

OutlineOutline!! HistoryHistory!! Techniques behind NapsterTechniques behind Napster!! The story of Napster (Lawsuits, shutdown)The story of Napster (Lawsuits, shutdown)!! StakeholdersStakeholders!! Legal issues (DMCA, Copyright Laws)Legal issues (DMCA, Copyright Laws)!! Ethical issues (PEO, ACM)Ethical issues (PEO, ACM)!! Technological advancements :Technological advancements :MorpheusMorpheus etc. etc.!! The FutureThe Future!! Relation with Software EngineeringRelation with Software Engineering!! ConclusionConclusion!! BibliographyBibliography

HistoryHistory

!! Who, when :Shawn Fanning, 18, NortheasternWho, when :Shawn Fanning, 18, NortheasternUniversity, Boston,1999University, Boston,1999

!! How: MP3 uses compression, reduces numberHow: MP3 uses compression, reduces numberof bytes without affecting qualityof bytes without affecting quality

!! Why: easy access from internet, free,Why: easy access from internet, free,availabilityavailability

Techniques Behind NapsterTechniques Behind Napster

!! Peer to peer network (P2P):computersPeer to peer network (P2P):computerscommunicating to exchange resourcescommunicating to exchange resources

!! Maintained index facility (database) via webMaintained index facility (database) via web

!! Centralized directory of mp3s files on its serversCentralized directory of mp3s files on its servers

!! Doesn’t store copies of music on its computerDoesn’t store copies of music on its computerbut only on user’s HDbut only on user’s HD

How Napster Worked : Users

Database (Host site) (mp3 files)

Copy to user’sHard Drive

Napster (Logsinfo :IP, mp3)

Central Database(IP, mp3 list)

Napster: Right or Wrong?Napster: Right or Wrong?!! File sharing through central serverFile sharing through central server

!! Napster directly transfers music from other users’Napster directly transfers music from other users’computerscomputers

!! Continuous monitoring of user’s logging info byContinuous monitoring of user’s logging info byNapster systemNapster system

!! My conclusion: Wrong!My conclusion: Wrong!

Lawsuits and ShutdownLawsuits and Shutdown!! RIAA (The Recording Industry Association ofRIAA (The Recording Industry Association of

America) and music companies: Dec 1999, case filedAmerica) and music companies: Dec 1999, case filedagainst Napsteragainst Napster

!! Napster’s used “Fair Use”, Copyright Act of 1976Napster’s used “Fair Use”, Copyright Act of 1976

!! Court rejected the defense: the purpose, amount used,Court rejected the defense: the purpose, amount used,nature of copyrighted work and effect on potentialnature of copyrighted work and effect on potentialmarketmarket

!! Napster lost, asked to remove copyrighted materialsNapster lost, asked to remove copyrighted materials

!! More lawsuits by the Academy of Motion PictureMore lawsuits by the Academy of Motion PictureArts and Sciences etc.Arts and Sciences etc.

Stakeholders Stakeholders !! Music Industry : Artists, singers etc.Music Industry : Artists, singers etc.

!! Movie Industry Movie Industry

!! Entertainment Industry Entertainment Industry

!! Napster Napster and its employeesand its employees

!! Its Users : free music, easy accessibilityIts Users : free music, easy accessibility

Legal IssuesLegal Issues!! Copyright infringement under Copyright Laws of theCopyright infringement under Copyright Laws of the

United States (17 U.S.C)United States (17 U.S.C)- Copyright infringement: violating any of the- Copyright infringement: violating any of theexclusive rights of the copyright ownerexclusive rights of the copyright owner

!! Users infringing at least 2 copyright’s rights: the rightUsers infringing at least 2 copyright’s rights: the rightof reproduction and distributionof reproduction and distribution

!! Napster knowingly encouraged and assisted theNapster knowingly encouraged and assisted theinfringement of copyrightinfringement of copyright

Digital Millennium Copyright ActDigital Millennium Copyright Act(DMCA), Oct 28 1998:(DMCA), Oct 28 1998:

Napster violated two important laws:Napster violated two important laws:

!! Contributory infringement:Contributory infringement:a) Direct infringement by 3a) Direct infringement by 3rdrd party partyb) User’s knowledge of infringementb) User’s knowledge of infringement

Napster: didn’t prevent distribution of copyrightedNapster: didn’t prevent distribution of copyrightedmaterialmaterial

!! Vicarious infringement: Napster’s control,Vicarious infringement: Napster’s control,monitoring services used by users is not allowedmonitoring services used by users is not allowed

Online Copyright Infringement LiabilityOnline Copyright Infringement LiabilityLimitation: Section 512 (Limitation: Section 512 (b,cb,c))

!! System caching: limits the practice of retaining copiesSystem caching: limits the practice of retaining copiesfrom the original sourcefrom the original source

!! Storage of information on systems or networks atStorage of information on systems or networks atdirections of users: providers must not havedirections of users: providers must not haveknowledge of infringing activityknowledge of infringing activity

!! Information location tools :same as aboveInformation location tools :same as above

!! Napster violated laws stated aboveNapster violated laws stated above

Ethical Issues : Perspectives…Ethical Issues : Perspectives…!! Professional: stealing perspective on behalf of artistsProfessional: stealing perspective on behalf of artists

-Unfair: to artists and music industry, artists lose-Unfair: to artists and music industry, artists loserecognitionrecognition

!! Economic: artists loose monetary compensation,Economic: artists loose monetary compensation,music companies loose businessmusic companies loose business

!! Common good perspective: violated laws of societyCommon good perspective: violated laws of society

Ethical Issues cont’d…Ethical Issues cont’d…

!! Negative motivation to honest music buyers (CDs,Negative motivation to honest music buyers (CDs,tapes etc)tapes etc)

!! Personal gain for users: free musicPersonal gain for users: free music

!! Unclear vision: usually not seen as stealingUnclear vision: usually not seen as stealing

!! Napster being platform for other such software:Napster being platform for other such software:increase in competition, financial loss, discouragingincrease in competition, financial loss, discouraging

Codes of Ethics Breached (ACM)Codes of Ethics Breached (ACM)

!! (1.5) Honor property rights including copyrights and(1.5) Honor property rights including copyrights andpatentpatent

!! (1.6) Give proper credit for intellectual property(1.6) Give proper credit for intellectual property

!! (2.3) Know and respect existing laws pertaining to(2.3) Know and respect existing laws pertaining toprofessional workprofessional work

(Source: ACM)(Source: ACM)

PEO: Codes of Ethics BreachedPEO: Codes of Ethics Breached!! Fairness and loyalty to the practitioner's associates,Fairness and loyalty to the practitioner's associates,

employers, clients, subordinates and employeesemployers, clients, subordinates and employees

!! Fidelity to public needsFidelity to public needs

!! Devotion to high ideals of personal Devotion to high ideals of personal honourhonour and andprofessional integrityprofessional integrity

!! Give proper credit for engineering work, uphold theGive proper credit for engineering work, uphold theprinciple of adequate compensation for engineeringprinciple of adequate compensation for engineeringworkwork

Technological Advancements:Technological Advancements:Decentralized P2PDecentralized P2P

!! Commonly used software: Commonly used software: MorpheusMorpheus, , KazaaKazaa, Gnutella,, Gnutella,BearShareBearShare

!! MorpheusMorpheus acts as a “Matchmaker” for the searched acts as a “Matchmaker” for the searcheditem (IP address of the user)item (IP address of the user)

-decentralized technology :song files are traded directly-decentralized technology :song files are traded directlyfrom the directory of files on user’s computer, not viafrom the directory of files on user’s computer, not viacentral server (host site)central server (host site)-no way to track information about users-no way to track information about users

!! Make efficient use of the available bandwidth andMake efficient use of the available bandwidth andinclude powerful search enginesinclude powerful search engines

The FutureThe Future!! Current decentralized technologies abide by lawsCurrent decentralized technologies abide by laws

!! Music industry: copyrighted songs available forMusic industry: copyrighted songs available fordownload on Yahoo! (Sony and Universal)download on Yahoo! (Sony and Universal)

!! Monitor people at the ISP level: violates individualMonitor people at the ISP level: violates individualprivacy and network securityprivacy and network security

!! User licensing feesUser licensing fees

!! Technology Technology vsvs technology: laws for use of protective technology: laws for use of protectivemechanisms (digital watermarks, encryptionmechanisms (digital watermarks, encryptiontechnologies) to prevent infringementtechnologies) to prevent infringement

Relation with Software Eng.Relation with Software Eng.!! Pirating software without authorizationPirating software without authorization

!! Using other’s work as one’s own without giving themUsing other’s work as one’s own without giving themcreditcredit

!! Sharing, distributing software withoutSharing, distributing software withoutconsent/authorization of the ownerconsent/authorization of the owner

!! Making money by using other’s work withoutMaking money by using other’s work withoutcompensating themcompensating them

ConclusionConclusion

!! Decentralized technology: answer to today’s demandDecentralized technology: answer to today’s demandof exchange of “open ideas”of exchange of “open ideas”

!! Copyright Laws : continuous amendments to supportCopyright Laws : continuous amendments to supportcopyright ownerscopyright owners

!! Unethical to violate laws for own interestUnethical to violate laws for own interest

!! Give credit to the creator/owner : they deserve it!Give credit to the creator/owner : they deserve it!

BibliographyBibliography

!! David S. Cheval, David S. Cheval, Copyright Protection In The Digital Age:Copyright Protection In The Digital Age:The Case Against NapsterThe Case Against Napsterhttp://http://www.wvu.edu/~wvjolt/Arch/Cheval/Cheval.htmwww.wvu.edu/~wvjolt/Arch/Cheval/Cheval.htm

!! PEO Guidelines:PEO Guidelines:http://www.peo.on.ca/publications/publicat3.htmlhttp://www.peo.on.ca/publications/publicat3.html

!! Law and Policy: Law and Policy: http://http://www.copyright.govwww.copyright.gov/laws//laws/!! York, Amanda: Did downloading kill the CD’s star?York, Amanda: Did downloading kill the CD’s star? http://www.msnbc.com/news/842630.asphttp://www.msnbc.com/news/842630.asp!! Frederick, Betsy :Ethics in the Age of Napster and MP3, 2002Frederick, Betsy :Ethics in the Age of Napster and MP3, 2002

http://challenge.nm.org/teachers/NECC_CSIT.htmlhttp://challenge.nm.org/teachers/NECC_CSIT.html!! MuthuramanMuthuraman, , InduIndu and and PesicPesic, , IliyaIliya: Intellectual: Intellectual

Property:EthicalProperty:Ethical Ambiguities in Technology Ambiguities in Technology

hhttp://cseserv.engr.scu.edu/studentaccounts/ENGR019Winter2ttp://cseserv.engr.scu.edu/studentaccounts/ENGR019Winter2

Bibliography cont’d…Bibliography cont’d…!! TestenTesten, Igor: Social and Ethical Issues of Sharing Music over, Igor: Social and Ethical Issues of Sharing Music over

Internet, 2001Internet, 2001 http://www.wu-http://www.wu-

wien.ac.at/usr/h95b/h9526293/Lectures/English/SE/Documents/wien.ac.at/usr/h95b/h9526293/Lectures/English/SE/Documents/English%20SE%20Music%20Piracy.pdfEnglish%20SE%20Music%20Piracy.pdf

!! ACM: Publications: http://ACM: Publications: http://www.acm.orgwww.acm.org/pubs//pubs/!! Dale, Nell and Lewis, John: Computer Science Illuminated-Dale, Nell and Lewis, John: Computer Science Illuminated-

Ethical Issues,2002Ethical Issues,2002http://csilluminated.jbpub.com/ethical_issues_chapter.cfm?chapthttp://csilluminated.jbpub.com/ethical_issues_chapter.cfm?chapter=3er=3

!! MahalMahal, , ParvinderParvinder KaurKaur : The Kidnappers of Intellectual Property : The Kidnappers of Intellectual Propertyhttp://pers-www.wlv.ac.uk/~c9725414/http://pers-www.wlv.ac.uk/~c9725414/

!! LohmannLohmann ,Fred von: Peer to peer file sharing and Copyright Law ,Fred von: Peer to peer file sharing and Copyright Lawafter Napsterafter Napster

http://www.eff.org/IP/P2P/Napster/20010309_p2p_exec_sum.hthttp://www.eff.org/IP/P2P/Napster/20010309_p2p_exec_sum.htmlml